New Delhi: They might not have been picked by any of the eight franchises, yet they are going to fulfill their IPL dreams as at least 50 ‘net bowlers’ are set to travel to UAE. The 13th edition of IPL will start from September 19.
Almost three franchises — Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) have confirmed that they are preparing a list of net bowlers. The list includes first-class, U-19, U-23 state-level players who will get the opportunity to bowl to the legends like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and many more.
Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab have already confirmed the selection of Bengal pacers Akash Deep and Sayan Ghosh respectively as their net bowlers. The teams are expected to leave India in the third week of August.
Akash played a major role in Bengal’s Ranji Trophy runners-up finish last season. “I am very happy. I will get a chance to bowl to some great players in the world. I also look forward to learning a lot from Steve Smith the RR skipper and Andrew McDonald the coach, I also feel this exposure will help youngsters like us from Bengal mature. I hope to use those in the next season in the domestic T20 meet,” he said.
Sayan had some earlier experience with KKR when he was a member of the team in 2017. He is excited about getting an opportunity to bowl KL Rahul and Chris Gayle at KXIP. He stated, “It’s a great opportunity for me. And the experience I will gain will help Bengal in future. It is a welcome break from being in lockdown in our houses. I am happy that I can now bowl and play cricket.”
Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) secretary and former Bengal player Snehashis Ganguly welcomed the move. “These players are very talented and have a lot of potentials. Their stay with the franchises will further help them hone their skills,” he said.
“If all goes well, we are planning to take around 10 bowlers exclusively to UAE for the practice sessions. They will be accompanying the team and will remain till the tournament starts,” CSK CEO Kashi Vishwanathan told PTI on Tuesday (August 11).
KKR confirmed that they will have 10 net bowlers in their list, mostly to be selected by mentor Abhishek Nayar. “It will be a blend of players who have played Ranji Trophy while some of them have played U-23 and U-19 national level tournaments,” a KKR official said. The Delhi Capitals are also picking around six net bowlers who will be a part of the team’s ‘bio bubble’. All the selected net bowlers will be tested regularly before their departure and arrival in the UAE.
